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Goon (film)

Goon is a 2011 Canadian sports comedy film directed by Michael Dowse and written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Goon is a 2011 Canadian sports comedy film directed by Michael Dowse and written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg. It stars Seann William Scott as Doug Glatt, a bouncer who becomes an enforcer for a minor-league hockey team. The film is based on the book *Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey* by Adam Frattasio and Douglas Smith.

Premise

The story centres on Doug Glatt, who joins a minor-league hockey team as an enforcer despite limited hockey skill. His role brings him into conflict with other tough players, especially Ross Rhea.

Production and source material

The film was directed by Michael Dowse and written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg. It is based on the book *Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey* by Adam Frattasio and Douglas Smith.

Release and reception

Goon was released in 2011 and screened in theatres in 2012 in some markets. It became known as a cult comedy and was commercially notable in Canada.

Legacy

The film later inspired a sequel, *Goon: Last of the Enforcers*. It is often discussed as part of Canadian hockey cinema and as a cult favourite among sports-comedy films.

Key facts

  • The film follows Doug Glatt, a polite but dim-witted bouncer who becomes a hockey enforcer.
  • It is adapted from a non-fiction book about minor-league hockey.
  • The cast includes Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, and Liev Schreiber.
  • A sequel, Goon: Last of the Enforcers, was released in 2017.
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Canadian context

Goon is a Canadian film set largely in hockey culture and became a notable domestic box-office success in Canada. It is often cited as a Canadian cult sports comedy.

Frequently asked questions

What is Goon about?
It follows Doug Glatt, a bouncer who becomes an enforcer for a minor-league hockey team and develops a career through fighting rather than skating.
Is Goon based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the non-fiction book *Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey*, which itself draws on real hockey experiences.
Who directed Goon?
Michael Dowse directed the film.
Who stars in Goon?
The main cast includes Seann William Scott, Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber, Alison Pill, Marc-André Grondin, Kim Coates, and Eugene Levy.
What kind of film is Goon?
It is a Canadian sports comedy with strong hockey-violence and adult-content elements.
Did Goon have a sequel?
Yes. A sequel titled *Goon: Last of the Enforcers* was released in 2017.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goon_(film)
    Supports: Basic film credits, premise, source material, cast, and release year.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1456635/
    Supports: Director, writers, runtime, release date in Canada, and premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/goon
    Supports: Genre, rating, runtime, release date, and synopsis.
  4. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-goon-movie-oral-history/
    Supports: Canadian cultural significance, cast, and box-office context in Canada.